According to a new survey from CDW-G, the 21st-Century Campus Report, administrators may be missing the opportunity to attract new students, keep existing ones and train them adequately for the workforce. The annual report surveyed 1,200 college students, faculty, IT staff and administrators and found a disconnect between administrators’ top priorities and the importance of technology for students and faculty. Some of the survey’s key findings include:

98% of administrators believe that learning and mastering technology skills will improve students’ educational and career opportunities, yet just 22% of administrators say that using technology to enhance the learning process is one of their top priorities. Administrators instead focus broadly on attracting and retaining students and addressing budget shortfalls

Administrators are missing the boat, and the connection that technology can have with their goals. Students attend college to gain skills that will help them secure a job, and administrators, faculty, and students agree that tech skills are a way to make that happen. Administrators should view technology as an investment that will attract incoming students and keep current students engaged, while saving budget dollars over the long-term

Despite administrators’ challenges, campuses are making steps in the right direction. More students are using technology every day in the classroom than last year, and many faculty and IT staff view newer technologies – like mobile devices – as essential to the 21st-century campus … The full report is available at www.cdwg.com/21stCenturyCampus.